The NHS has embraced and realised the importance of digitising its services through key initiatives such as the NHS e-referrals system.
With primary healthcare in the midst of a digital revolution, it is important to continue the momentum in using technology as an efficiency tool
In December last year, it reported how 21% of patients in England could access their medical record online, a dramatic increase from the 2% in 2013.
With primary healthcare offering high-quality and positive patient experiences, these technology initiatives have shown a glimpse into how digitising successfully can drive effective healthcare.
But has it? In 2014, NHS figures showed that one in six patients had to wait at least a week before seeing a GP. Also, £1billion a year is being spent by the health service collecting and checking data, with 70% of staff saying the burden of paperwork has risen in the past five years. So what else can the NHS do to increase efficiency within the primary care system to benefit the clinicians and patients?
With primary healthcare in the midst of a digital revolution, it is important to continue the momentum in using technology as an efficiency tool.
Here are the top five ways in which I think technology will help drive the efficiencies of primary care services throughout the country. By combining these five key components, the primary health service will have a structured, sophisticated and digitised system that can offer the highest-quality care to all patients.
- 1. Integrate systems: One of the most-effective ways the NHS can improve its digitised services is by further integrating systems within primary healthcare. Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, recently announced that full GP records, including blood-test results, appointment records and medical histories, will be available next year on smartphones. As well as this, he also announced that one in four smartphone users should be routinely accessing NHS advice, services and their own medical records through apps by 2017. Using the right software to continue integrating these apps within the main infrastructure already in place will increase efficiency and drive effectiveness within primary healthcare’s digital services
- 2. Empower the patient: With emerging technologies, as well as the use of apps and online services increasing within the digitising of the NHS, primary healthcare is developing how patients use its services. Helping patients to embrace new technologies, and showcasing how beneficial the technology is, will empower the patient and increase efficiency within primary healthcare. Empowering the patient is important for many reasons, including the prevention of illnesses. In 2013, NHS England estimated that if the public was fully involved in managing their health and engaged in prevention activities, the NHS could save £30billion. By empowering the patient and giving them control of their medical records, it is not only cost effective, but it will help improve the lifestyle of patients and increase their knowledge of their own healthcare. To make sure this can be achieved successfully, the NHS must provide simple, reliable and affordable access for patients to use the technology for primary healthcare
- 3. Accessible technology: With the increase of apps being used within primary healthcare, it’s vital technology is accessible for all patients. This includes ensuring the software is easy to use and understand, as well as being available to all patients regardless of their disabilities. Increasing the ways in which patients can contact clinicians through apps, for example, will positively impact the user experience for all patients. However, ensuring every app is created to be accessible for all patients, regardless of their condition, is crucial for the overall care of the patient and efficiency of primary healthcare
- 4. Increase interaction: Around 90% of patient interaction is with primary care services, making the first point of call for patients needing to be efficient and successful at all times. With the increased use of technology, this can be achieved by giving patients the opportunity to choose how to contact their primary healthcare service. This will offer the patient options to contact their GP or dental practice by their personal preference moving from push communication to pull communication. Giving the patient control of how and when they contact their clinician increases the opportunity of a meaningful interaction. This changes the patient-doctor relationship and ensures the patient has the option to be in control of their healthcare
- 5. Embrace emerging technologies: Emerging technologies must be embraced throughout primary care before it is possible to see the full benefits both professionals and patients can expect. For example, iBeacons could have a dramatic effect on the elderly or patients with long term conditions which need close monitoring. In practise iBeacons could be used to monitor elderly patients receiving long-term care so as to understand their interactions with the community. This could highlight whether a patient may be in danger of becoming lonely, allowing the appropriate referrals to then be made to prevent this
By combining these five key components, the primary health service will have a structured, sophisticated and digitised system that can offer the highest-quality care to all patients
By increasing the amount of technology the primary healthcare uses, its current infrastructure will only get stronger
At the 2015 Health and Care Innovation Expo, Ros Roughton, the director of NHS commissioning, stated that GP access is a top priority for the NHS, and that technology will be the main enabler in increasing access to primary care services.
By increasing the amount of technology the primary healthcare uses, its current infrastructure will only get stronger.
With the NHS seeing the opportunities technology can bring, successfully implementing new ideas and technology into primary healthcare services will be accepted by patients and medical staff.
To increase the efficiency of digitised services, the NHS needs to work alongside software developers to continue the transformation of its growing digital services. Having expert advice on how to continue the drive to efficient and effective primary healthcare by utilising technology will offer patients a successful primary healthcare service.
